Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

That is the reality not only in Dublin, but throughout the country.

Small businesses are being starved of resources. The bankers are putting out the spin that they are approving loans but they are approving amounts that are much lower than applicants seek, resulting in a lack of uptake. The spin banks are putting on this issue is false. Where reviews have taken place of applications, the banks have not changed the original decision, which proves this. It is important for the Minister to realise that unless he dictates to the banks that they must make funds available for small industry, there will be further unemployment.

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